[32] This island was Britain, and is so described by the Massilian geographer Pytheas.
[33] About £400.
[34] Alexander did send such of his troops as were newly married to spend the winter of 334-3 at home, and made himself exceedingly popular by so doing.
[35] The Peplos was the sacred robe destined to adorn the statue of the goddess. It was carried, spread like a sail on a mast, much after the fashion of the banners used in processions now-a-days. It was embroidered with figures, the Battle of the Giants, in which Athené was represented as playing an important part, being one of the chief subjects. The Basket-bearers were maidens who carried baskets on their heads containing various sacred things used in the worship. It was necessary that they should be of unmixed Athenian descent, and the office was considered a great honour. Their hair was powdered; they carried strings of figs in their hands, and parasols were held over their heads.
[36] It was about seventy feet.
[37] This was the crushing defeat which led to the capture of Athens and the termination of the Peloponnesian War.
[38] The Lyceum was a gymnasium, i.e., a place where athletic exercises were practised, in the eastern suburb of Athens, with covered walks round it. In the largest of these, called for distinction’s sake The Walk, Aristotle was accustomed to teach. It was thus that his school got the name of the “Peripatetics.”
[39] Antipater, who was left in charge of Macedonia and the home provinces by Alexander when he started on his Asian expedition.
[40] 333 B.C.
[41] It was founded by Sardanapalus (Assur-bani-pal), built, according to the legend, along with Anchialus, in a single day.